On the International Museum Day, the Museum of Natural History is re-established in Kosovo

Under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, also in Kosovo, today is marked the International Museum Day. The main event organized at the National Museum of Kosovo was attended by many personalities from the field of culture, heritage and academics, among them, Minister Vlora Dumoshi, Rector of UP, Marjan Dema, Deputy Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Yll Rugova and head of institutions.

On this occasion, at the National Museum of Kosovo, a memorandum of cooperation was signed between MCYS and the University of Prishtina "Hasan Prishtina", signed by Minister Dumoshi and Rector Dema.

The purpose of the memorandum is the re-establishment of the Museum of Natural History in Kosovo, an institution that functioned from 1951 to 2001.

According to the memorandum, MCYS has the obligation to build adequate infrastructure for the Museum in question, including the accompanying spaces, funding and assistance in raising funds for exhibits and the Museum's collection, the Museum's ongoing support as a public cultural institution.

Whereas, UP, specifically the Faculty of Mathematical and Natural Sciences, has the obligation to help in the scientific and technical aspect of research and exhibitions for the Museum of Natural History, enriching the collection of the Museum of Natural History, conservation, research, collection and dissemination of knowledge on nature in Kosovo, making available the professional cadre for the Museum.

In her speech, Minister Dumoshi considered that the museum institution is a rich treasure of the country and very important in the national and international spectrum.

"Today, on the International Museum Day, I assure you that you have my support, to continue your commitments and your tireless work in the capacity of professionals in this field. Preserving and promoting the cultural heritage values of our country is our primary and common goal. Today we will sign the cooperation agreement with the University of Prishtina in order to re-establish the Museum of Natural History, in the primary function as a museum and as an educational center on the history of nature", said the Minister.

The Minister also said that they will increase the commitment to the renovation and functioning of other museums, and as a priority she mentioned the Ethnological Museum "Emin Gjiku" and said that they will support museums in other cities of Kosovo.

"Today, on this day, we are giving good news, because we are in the final stage with the Municipality of Prizren for the opening of the Filigree Museum", said Minister Dumoshi, pledging that museums in Kosovo will be supported in order to enrich museum fund and capacity building of employees according to need and demand.

While Rector Dema said that it is a pleasure that this memorandum is being signed as the Museum of Natural History will be of great importance not only for the community but also for the University of Prishtina due to the educational role that the museum will have.

“The museum will have a scientific research character because the University of Prishtina has great potential in organizing exhibitions, in helping the expertise that UP will give to this museum in joint organizations in many fields, which will complement the vacuum that has existed and with this I use the opportunity to thank the Minister for the project in question, which is the fourth or fifth with the University of Prishtina", said among other things the rector.

At the end, a video documentary was shown about the history of museums in Kosovo.

May 18 is International Museum Day, which is coordinated by the International Council of Museums (ICOM), part of which is the Republic of Kosovo, and every year Kosovo marks this day.